Former Victorian factory to be transformed for festival and outdoor party

A former Victorian factory building is being transformed for a brand new summer arts festival next month.

Ugly Duck is a London based arts organisation that works with landlords, developers and charitable trusts to revitalise empty buildings.

Ugly Duck Bermondsey, in Tanner Street, has announced the first ever summer edition of @Disturbance, on June 22 and 23. 

Following the success of its previous programmes which have championed LGBTQIA+ performance, video and digital artists, Disturbance promises to make maximum use of the derelict warehouse with an interactive indoor set, live performances and an outdoor party.

This year, @Disturbance features five artists, Alex Billingham, Samiir Saunders, Ace Rahman, Kobi Essah Ayensuo and Ella Frost, who will be performing live.

Each artist will explore multiple mediums throughout their performance, including installations, soundscapes, digital projections and video.

Performances will be streamed online for audiences unable to travel to the festival.

Ugly Duck Creative Director and founder of @Disturbance, Deen Atger, said: “This year we look forward to seeing our regular, fabulous @Disturbance crowd as well as new audiences discovering our work. 

“We’re partnering with disabled-led organisations Care-fuffle and Shape Arts to embark on a journey around accessibility.

“All artists will create new work where captioning, audio description and BSL translation will not only be embedded but considered as the work is being created. 

“@Disturbance 2024 promises to be an unforgettable journey into the realms of creativity, identity, and collective expression.”

Pictured top: Kobi Essah Ayensuo, during a performance at the Barbican (Picture: Betty Laura Zapta)